Louisiana Legislative Session 2026: Senator Franklin Foil Highlights Budget, Infrastructure, and Veteran Support

Louisiana lawmakers are moving into the busiest phase of the 2026 legislative session as committees begin meeting and bills start advancing. State Senator Franklin Foil says the state budget remains the top priority. Lawmakers must pass a balanced budget while deciding how to use more than $500 million in surplus funds from last year. Much of that money may go toward infrastructure projects. Foil is sponsoring several bills this session. One proposal would align legal interest payments in lawsuits against the state with the rates private parties pay, a change requested by the Attorney General’s office to protect taxpayer funds. Another bill would allow surviving spouses of disabled veterans to continue receiving a property tax exemption after the veteran’s death. Foil also supports legislation allowing Louisiana to conduct its own environmental impact studies for major projects, which could speed up infrastructure work such as a proposed new Mississippi River bridge near Baton Rouge. Lawmakers are also discussing a constitutional convention, though Foil says passing one this year will be difficult.